Former Capitales de Québec star Eddie Lantigua and his partner Noémie Bertrand unveiled expanded facilities this week for their L-31 Baseball Academy in Lévis, Quebec, marking a significant step in their mission to grow the sport locally.
The academy, named in honor of Lantigua’s former jersey number with the Quebec-based independent league team, officially opened its upgraded installations following months of development. According to a report by Radio-Canada’s Le Téléjournal Québec, the expansion reflects the couple’s shared passion for baseball and their commitment to providing enhanced training opportunities for young athletes in the region.
Jean-Philippe Martin, a journalist with Le Téléjournal Québec, visited the site to cover the inauguration, highlighting the academy’s role in fostering baseball talent at the grassroots level. The report noted that the project was driven by the couple’s desire to give back to a sport that shaped their lives.
Lantigua, who played as an infielder for the Capitales de Québec in the Frontier League, became a fan favorite during his tenure with the team, known for his defensive reliability and consistent offensive contributions. Though specific statistics from his playing career were not detailed in the available sources, his status as a “former star player” was affirmed in the broadcast segment.
The L-31 Academy operates as a private training facility focused on skill development, coaching education and youth engagement in baseball. Its expansion includes upgraded training spaces designed to support year-round programming, though exact specifications of the recent installations were not disclosed in the verified materials.
Located in Lévis, a city situated across the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City, the academy serves athletes from the broader Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions. The facility’s geographic placement allows it to draw participants from both urban and suburban communities seeking structured baseball instruction outside of traditional school or league schedules.
Noémie Bertrand, who co-leads the academy with Lantigua, has been involved in its operational and outreach aspects, though her specific background in baseball or sports management was not outlined in the available reports. The partnership between the couple underscores a family-oriented approach to athlete development, blending Lantigua’s on-field experience with Bertrand’s organizational involvement.
The academy’s name, L-31, directly references Lantigua’s uniform number during his time with the Capitales, serving as both a personal tribute and a brand identifier for the initiative. This naming convention connects the academy’s mission to the legacy of independent baseball in Quebec, where the Capitales have long been a flagship franchise.
Even as the Frontier League, in which the Capitales compete, operates independently of Major League Baseball, it has developed a reputation for providing competitive opportunities for former collegiate and professional players, with several alumni advancing to affiliated ball or international leagues. Lantigua’s tenure with the team contributed to its visibility within Canadian baseball circles.
The expansion of the L-31 Academy comes amid growing interest in baseball development infrastructure across Quebec, particularly in urban centers where access to specialized training can be limited. Private academies like L-31’s play a complementary role to municipal and school-based programs by offering advanced coaching, video analysis, and position-specific instruction.
Jean-Philippe Martin’s on-site visit, as featured in the Téléjournal segment, included visual documentation of the new spaces and interviews with stakeholders, though the full extent of his reporting beyond the aired portion was not available in the provided sources. His presence underscored media interest in local sports initiatives that combine athletic development with community engagement.
The inauguration occurred during the week of April 13, 2026, based on the segment’s air date of April 17, 2026, which described the event as having taken place “this week.” No exact day of the unveiling was specified in the verified content.
As of the reporting date, no public announcements had been made regarding formal partnerships with leagues, school boards, or baseball governing bodies such as Baseball Quebec or Baseball Canada. The academy appears to function as an independent entity, though future collaborations remain possible.
Looking ahead, the L-31 Academy is expected to continue offering seasonal camps, clinics, and individual training sessions, though specific program schedules or registration details were not included in the verified materials. The expansion suggests increased capacity to accommodate more participants across age groups and skill levels.
For readers interested in youth baseball development in Eastern Canada, the L-31 Academy represents one of several emerging private-sector efforts to strengthen athlete pathways outside of traditional elite systems. Its growth reflects broader trends in sports specialization and the rising demand for accessible, high-quality instruction.
While the academy does not currently appear to be affiliated with any Major League Baseball youth initiatives or international academies, its focus on foundational skill-building aligns with universal principles of player development emphasized across baseball’s global landscape.
Eddie Lantigua’s transition from professional player to mentor and educator exemplifies a common trajectory for athletes seeking to remain connected to the sport beyond their playing careers. His visibility as a former Capitales player lends credibility to the academy’s outreach efforts, particularly among local fans familiar with his contributions to the team.
The expansion of the L-31 Academy in Lévis stands as a verified development in Quebec’s baseball ecosystem, grounded in the couple’s stated passion and supported by regional media coverage. As the facility settles into its expanded footprint, its long-term impact will depend on sustained programming, athlete outcomes, and community integration.
No further updates regarding the academy’s operations, enrollment figures, or upcoming events were available in the verified sources at the time of reporting. Readers seeking current information are encouraged to consult the academy’s official channels or local sports news outlets for the latest developments.
As baseball continues to evolve at both the grassroots and professional levels, initiatives like the L-31 Academy highlight the importance of sustained investment in player development, coaching quality, and access to sport — values that resonate far beyond the boundaries of any single league or region.
